Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) hosted an international public lecture titled “Accountability and Transparency for a Better Future” on Wednesday (May 28) at the UMSU Auditorium, Jalan Muchtar Basri No.3, Medan, featuring academic speakers from Malaysia and the Philippines.
The lecture focused on the importance of accountability and transparency in governance, as well as the growing threats of cybercrime and e-fraud in the digital era. It was attended by international students from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology.
The session was moderated by UMSU lecturer and OIC member Taufik Hidayat Lubis, S.S., S.H., M.H. The speakers delivered insightful presentations on the challenges and solutions in building clean, responsible governments.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norziaton Ismail Khan from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) opened the session by highlighting the rise of cybercrime and e-fraud, particularly in the public sector.
“Accountability means that public officials must be responsible and answerable for their actions and decisions to the people,” Dr. Norziaton asserted.
She also emphasized that transparency is not just about data disclosure but requires strong oversight and law enforcement. Citing a 2022 survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), she noted that cybercrime increased from 29% to 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 43% of incidents perpetrated by external actors and 31% by insiders.
Dr. Norziaton also presented a real-life case of a Malaysian government official sentenced to 156 years in prison for forging ID cards to illegally grant citizenship.
“We all share the responsibility to build an anti-corruption culture. If we want to go far, we must go together,” she said, stressing the need for collective action.
Next, UMSU’s Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Januri MM, M.Si, CMA, emphasized the significance of accountability in financial and operational management. He introduced the concept of kaizen, or continuous improvement, through research, benchmarking, and outsourcing.
“Accountability is personal responsibility for decisions and their consequences. In business, transparency is the foundation of trust,” he stated.
He also highlighted the importance of good governance practices, including fairness, transparency, independent leadership, and full disclosure in financial reporting.
Finally, Mr. Glenn Elgales, CPA, MBA, from Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology in the Philippines, joined the lecture virtually via Zoom. He discussed fiscal transparency in local governments, presenting initiatives such as the Freedom of Information Act, Full Disclosure Policy, and the Budget Transparency Portal, all of which allow the public to access government financial data.
“Financial transparency means nothing is hidden. It builds public trust and promotes the efficient use of state budgets,” he explained.
Glenn emphasized the importance of public participation in budgeting processes, monitoring project implementation, and reporting misuse of funds.
The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session, followed by group photos and the distribution of e-certificates to participants. This international lecture served as a vital platform for students to deepen their understanding of integrity and public responsibility in the face of technological advances and global challenges.
